Pathology and Treatment of Osgood-Schlatter Disease The current situation and issues in the future from onset to return to sports

Abstract

Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is a well-documented clinical condition particularly in adolescent athletes. In recent years, the pathology and the factors associated with the onset has been clarified by applying the new evaluation tools and increasing in the longitudinal studies .On the other hand, there are few reports about the effect of the therapeutic exercises. Detection and intervention in early stage is required for the early return to sports. This article reviewed the scientific evidences about the pathology and the factors associated with the onset , diagnosis and treatment of OSD.

The current consensus on the pathophysiology of OSD is that it is a traction apophysitis of the proximal tibial tubercle resulting from repetitive microtrauma at the stage of relatively weak strength of the tibia tuberosity. Flexibility, muscle strength, growth, and kicking motions are factors that may cause OSD. These factors have generally been reviewed retrospectively and there have been a few prospective studies. For the early detection, it is important to imaging physical examinations such as pain regularly. Current treatment protocol for OSD is conservative, consisting primarily of rest, icing, NSAIDs, and therapeutic exercise. Although therapeutic exercise is the most important treatment that therapists and trainers associate with, the effects of exercises has not been established. In future, the appropriate treatment protocols especially therapeutic exercise according to pathological conditioning and the factors associated with the onset should be established.